Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2012 13:11:07 GMT -5
There were three words that Jacob could honestly say described his feelings about the Burning Blaze Stakes following a good first workout: Bring It On. Sonja was in good form, and with every race and workout she was maturing. Learning how to handle the track, and the competition that ran on it. She had two major wins to her name and a second place in another major race. As if that were not enough to prove her talent she had also taken a third position twice, placing outside of the top three only once in her six starts. Perhaps not a perfect record, but a strong one, and the filly had already proved that she could handle herself and competition from the offspring of Hall Of Fame horses. She was, of course, still improving however and the only way to get better was to get in as much practice as possible.
The sun burned brightly in blue skies, only a lone cloud or two marring the clear expanse of space. Shade was a precious thing in this sort of weather and even the most boisterous of horses seemed to be seeking it's comfort. Thankfully, however, a cool breeze meant that it was not as uncomfortable as it could have been and if the weather had been a little less hot it might have been like a paradise. At the minute it was more like a burning paradise. The heat was just bearable thanks to the breeze.
Jacob took a swig of his cold, bottled water finding himself thankful to feel the cool liquid tricking down his throat. His red hair was stuck to his head with sweat which dripped down his face. He'd been hard at work all morning, helping out the grooms and working horses to boot. Most of the staff were taking a break, but not Jacob. Jacob had another workout to do, one which was very important to him. Paradise Island's workout for the Burning Blaze Stakes. Number two, as they attempted to come back from their last race where they had finished outside of the top three for the first time. They would face very similar competition in the coming race, but this time they would be ready.
Walking into the changing room for the who-knew-what time that day he pulled open his locker, grabbed his helmet and body protector which he pulled on and finally took his crop in hand. With his gear on he looked much more like a jockey, although he was rather tall for such. Not as tall as one of the PHS jockeys, but still taller than most. But it was something he knew how to cope with, and he was much stricter with himself than some people really thought he should be.
Sonja was already tacked up when he reached her stable and she popped her head out to greet him, nuzzling at his hand. She was in a good mood, a soft and gentle one. But Matthias was coming down to the track with them, meaning Jacob would be in a discussion on the way down to the track. Luckily, there were handlers to deal with the filly who was sure to be a little irritable once they brought her out of her cool, shaded stable and into the sun and heat. Which is exactly where Lucas came in.
The trainer's younger brother had come over for the summer, and Matthias had decided to put him straight to work. At eighteen years old, he was only just covered by the insurance on the barn and he had the family looks. Pale blonde hair, pale skin and blue eyes he had a slender frame. Unlike his brother, however, he was quite short and would have been a good size for a jockey. Except Matthias refused to allow him to ride. Still, working as a handler he got to be around the horses and he seemed to appreciate that at the very least.
As the two brother's walked together the family resemblance was apparent. They had the same gait, the same mannerisms. Things that had come from their parents, inherited traits. It was also obvious that they were arguing and everyone in the stable knew what that would be about - Lucas wanted to ride as a jockey. Matthias was being stubborn about it. The brothers had greatly differing opinions on the matter, and the strain was showing. However, it was something they needed to resolve themselves. The discussion died off as they reached the stall and Lucas walked in, taking the filly's rein and starting to lead her down to the track with a scowl on his face.
Jacob fell in beside Matthias, who also appeared fed up. Unlike usual, the man was not chatty or friendly. In fact he was short, sharp and to the point. "Four furlongs on the dirt, your starting in the gate. Leave her to it for the first two furlongs, drive her hard for the second two." Instructions, a tone which warned not to question him. More like orders than the usual discussions they had. It was uncomfortable and Jacob put a level of the trainer's irritability down to the heat and the rest down to the recent discussion with his brother. Once they reached the track Matthias went up into the stands and Jake walked onto the track, mounting the bay filly.
Gating was simple and when the gates opened their exit from them was swift. Sonja seemed to be really on form as she moved out onto the dirt track at a good pace. She moved in a fluent and quick movement, her ears pushed forwards as she showed her enjoyment of the run. It certainly was nice to have a decent breeze as they moved down the first two furlongs, but they were over quickly and the pleasantness soon subsided.
Cracking the crop Jacob began to drive the filly, who responded eagerly. Her flints drove her down the dirt at a high pace and she threw herself into the remaining two furlongs. With each stride, she speed appeared to increase and as they passed the post their was no denying that the filly had given her all.
The sun burned brightly in blue skies, only a lone cloud or two marring the clear expanse of space. Shade was a precious thing in this sort of weather and even the most boisterous of horses seemed to be seeking it's comfort. Thankfully, however, a cool breeze meant that it was not as uncomfortable as it could have been and if the weather had been a little less hot it might have been like a paradise. At the minute it was more like a burning paradise. The heat was just bearable thanks to the breeze.
Jacob took a swig of his cold, bottled water finding himself thankful to feel the cool liquid tricking down his throat. His red hair was stuck to his head with sweat which dripped down his face. He'd been hard at work all morning, helping out the grooms and working horses to boot. Most of the staff were taking a break, but not Jacob. Jacob had another workout to do, one which was very important to him. Paradise Island's workout for the Burning Blaze Stakes. Number two, as they attempted to come back from their last race where they had finished outside of the top three for the first time. They would face very similar competition in the coming race, but this time they would be ready.
Walking into the changing room for the who-knew-what time that day he pulled open his locker, grabbed his helmet and body protector which he pulled on and finally took his crop in hand. With his gear on he looked much more like a jockey, although he was rather tall for such. Not as tall as one of the PHS jockeys, but still taller than most. But it was something he knew how to cope with, and he was much stricter with himself than some people really thought he should be.
Sonja was already tacked up when he reached her stable and she popped her head out to greet him, nuzzling at his hand. She was in a good mood, a soft and gentle one. But Matthias was coming down to the track with them, meaning Jacob would be in a discussion on the way down to the track. Luckily, there were handlers to deal with the filly who was sure to be a little irritable once they brought her out of her cool, shaded stable and into the sun and heat. Which is exactly where Lucas came in.
The trainer's younger brother had come over for the summer, and Matthias had decided to put him straight to work. At eighteen years old, he was only just covered by the insurance on the barn and he had the family looks. Pale blonde hair, pale skin and blue eyes he had a slender frame. Unlike his brother, however, he was quite short and would have been a good size for a jockey. Except Matthias refused to allow him to ride. Still, working as a handler he got to be around the horses and he seemed to appreciate that at the very least.
As the two brother's walked together the family resemblance was apparent. They had the same gait, the same mannerisms. Things that had come from their parents, inherited traits. It was also obvious that they were arguing and everyone in the stable knew what that would be about - Lucas wanted to ride as a jockey. Matthias was being stubborn about it. The brothers had greatly differing opinions on the matter, and the strain was showing. However, it was something they needed to resolve themselves. The discussion died off as they reached the stall and Lucas walked in, taking the filly's rein and starting to lead her down to the track with a scowl on his face.
Jacob fell in beside Matthias, who also appeared fed up. Unlike usual, the man was not chatty or friendly. In fact he was short, sharp and to the point. "Four furlongs on the dirt, your starting in the gate. Leave her to it for the first two furlongs, drive her hard for the second two." Instructions, a tone which warned not to question him. More like orders than the usual discussions they had. It was uncomfortable and Jacob put a level of the trainer's irritability down to the heat and the rest down to the recent discussion with his brother. Once they reached the track Matthias went up into the stands and Jake walked onto the track, mounting the bay filly.
Gating was simple and when the gates opened their exit from them was swift. Sonja seemed to be really on form as she moved out onto the dirt track at a good pace. She moved in a fluent and quick movement, her ears pushed forwards as she showed her enjoyment of the run. It certainly was nice to have a decent breeze as they moved down the first two furlongs, but they were over quickly and the pleasantness soon subsided.
Cracking the crop Jacob began to drive the filly, who responded eagerly. Her flints drove her down the dirt at a high pace and she threw herself into the remaining two furlongs. With each stride, she speed appeared to increase and as they passed the post their was no denying that the filly had given her all.